How to read spending patterns, comparisons and forecasts

1. Choose month, quarter, year or all time. Read the period label first: it determines the totals.
2. Compare income and expenses. Their difference for a period is not your current total account balance.
3. Find large category totals, then check the merchants and transactions behind them.
4. In spending patterns, look for unusually expensive days. One large purchase need not be a new habit.
5. Check which periods the comparison uses. An unfinished month needs a different interpretation from two complete months.
6. Read the forecast trend and possible risk. No immediate cash gap does not mean a negative trend can be ignored.
7. Choose one action: correct a category, revise a limit or check a recurring payment.

Check the space, period, currency and completeness of history. Missing income, duplicates and incorrect categories affect the results. Correct the records before refreshing analytics.